If you have (or had) lovely parents please tell me what made them so great

[dannythechampionoftheworld]

I can't say my parents were the greatest but I really want to be the best parent I can be to my own DC. The problem is, I've no real frame of reference.

So if your parents are/were great can you please share with me what it was about them that made them lovely?

Thanks :)

I just always knew that they would always love and support me. My mum once told me that there was nothing I could ever do which would make her stop loving me. Can't remember the context in which she said it (an unusual thing for her to say really as she was a bit repressed emotionally) but it really stuck in my mind.

I went to university at 18 and subsequently always lived a couple of hundred miles away from my parents but we always visited each other regularly. Knowing that my parents and their home were always there for me made me feel safe and secure. Sadly my dad died a few years ago and my mum is 91 with dementia. It's now that I don't have them any more that I realise how safe, secure and loved they always made me feel.

I'm always telling my kids how much I love them. Funnily enough my mum and dad didn't do that (different times) but they didn't really need to.

I knew my mum & step dad would support me no matter what the situation and were brilliant when I got pregnant with dd at 18.
They gave me the independence I needed and trusted me. They were always on my side even if it didn't feel like it at the time.

My parents were decent, ordinary people who loved me and my little bruv unconditionally. They taught us a little about the world, made us eat our veg (my bruv wasn't too keen) and made sure we did our homework (I wasn't too keen). They gave us normality, security and a happy home. They may have been busy running a household and holding down thankless, low-paying, hard jobs but they were never dismissive and they never made me feel like they weren't interested in my opinions (and I had many.)

I spent my first 18 years full of the quiet contentment of just existing in a house full of people who loved and enjoyed my company and I loved and enjoyed them right back.

I lost my dad at 18 and also left home for uni so I know what the lack of this feels like and I have never had a family of my own. I love to see jolly families out and about now as it is good to see other families being happy.

The one thing I would say* to new parents is make sure you get to play with your kids. They are a magnificent excuse for silliness and laughter and it helps strengthen the love between you.

I wouldn't actually say it because I don't know anything about childrearing apart from being an ex*-child.

** The 'ex' part is debatable

PS The fact that you ask means you you are probably a great parent OP because you are interested. Also Danny the Champion of the World has a great parental relationship at its centre, I loved that book when I was little.

thanks, Catspyjamas!